Potato grading device



Sept. 21, 1965 E. A. ERNST 3,207,309

POTATO GRADING DEVICE Filed March 19, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.ARL A. ERNST ATTORNEY Sept. 21, 1965 E. A. ERNST 3,207,309

POTATO GRADING DEVICE Filed March 19, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 W 5 L QQ1212 I e- J} r0 9 EA R E i RNST LL Mm a Q,

ATTORNEY P 1965 -E. A. ERNST 3,207,309

POTATO GRADING DEVICE Filed March 19, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR.EARL A. ERNST MQZSIZZWWQP-W ATTORNEY Sept. 21, 1965 E. A. ERNST POTATOGRADING DEVICE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed March 19, 1962 INVENTOR. EARL. A.ERNST ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,207,309 POTATO GRADING DEVICE EarlA. Ernst, PJO. Box 265, Station B, Bakersfield, Calif. Filed Mar. 19,1962, Ser. No. 180,783 3 Claims. (Cl. 209-102) The present inventionrelates generally to the field of sorting devices, and more particularlyto a machine for automatically sorting and distributing potatoes, or thelike, so that after sorting they may be sacked or otherwise packageswith substantial uniformity as to size. The present invention is acontinuation-in-part of my pending application Serial No. 695,926 filedNovember 12, 1957, now abandoned, and entitled Device for SortingPotatoes or the Like According to Size.

As is well known, potatoes grow in a variety of sizes and shapes.However, the vast majority of users prefer potatoes of a substantiallyuniform shape and size, depending upon the manner in which the potatoesare to be prepared for the table. In the past, it has been foundexceedingly difficult to rapidly and economically sort potatoes due tothe irregularly of the size and shape thereof.

A primary object in devising the present invention is to provide adevice by which a continuously moving stream of potatoes can beautomatically sorted as to size, and one that can be manually adjustedto classify and sort the potatoes as to the particular sizes required.

Another object of the invention is to supply a potato sorting devicethat is of relatively simple structure, can be successfully operated bya person having limited mechanical ability or experience in sortingdevice that is of relatively simple structure, can be successfullyoperated by a person having limited mechanical ability or experience insorting potatoes, is capable of withstanding rough and hard useage, andrequires a minimum of maintenance attention.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a new and novelconveyor belt that is defined by a number of parallel spaced rollers,with the spacing between the rollers being variable at the will of theoperator to permit potatoes of a particular size to drop through theopenings provided between the rollers onto a convey-or belt or othertransportation means.

Yet another object of the invention is to furnish a potato sortingdevice in which the rollers on the conveyor belt are manually adjustableas longitudinally extending sections, with the spacings between therollers in each section when so adjusted being increased or decreasedthe same amount to permit the sorting of potatoes to particular sizes.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will becomeapparent from the following description thereof, and from theaccompanying drawings, illustrating the same, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of a first form of the invention;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view of a firstmechanism which controls the spacing between the conveyor rollers;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary top plan view of a portion of the conveyor onwhich the potatoes are dumped for sorting;

FIGURE 3a is a fragmentary top plan view of a modified form of theconveyor shown in FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary horizontal cross-sectional view of a portionof the invention taken on line 4--4 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the de vice taken on line55 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of a portion of the first controlmechanism;

3,207,309 Patented Sept. 21, 1965 FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary verticalcross-sectional view of one of the rollers on which a longitudinallyadjustable ring is mounted;

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary vertical cross-sectional view of a second formof spacing control mechanism;

FIGURE 9 is a side elevational view of the second form of spacingcontrol mechanism;

FIGURE 10 is a top plan view of the second spacing control mechanism;

FIGURE 11 is a fragmentary transverse cross-sectional view of the secondform of spacing control mechanism taken on line 1111 of FIGURE 8;

FIGURE 12 is a diagrammatic view of the second form of spacing controlmechanism; and

FIGURE 13 is a third form of spacing control mech anism.

With continuing reference to the drawings, and FIG- URES 1 and 5 thereofin particular for the general arrangement of the invention, it will beseen to include a rectangular framework A. Framework A comprises fouruprights B situated at the corners thereof, and horizontally extendingreinforcing members C are disposed intermediately between the upper andlower ends of the uprights B and rigidly connected thereto. The upperends of the uprights B are connected by transverse frame members D, asmay best be seen in FIGURE 5. The upper ends of uprights B are alsorigidly connected by two identical longitudinally extending framemembers E, one of which is shown in FIGURE 1.

Framework A supports two upper, parallel, longitudinally extending railsF and two lower rails G that are in vertical alignment with the upperrails. Framework A also supports two longitudinally aligned rollers Hand I over which first and second transversely extending conveyor beltsK and L respectively, extend. Belts K and L are of substantial width, asillustrated in FIGURE 1. A third conveyor M is provided, as shown inFIGURES 3 and 3a, that comprises a number of transversely positioned,longitudinally spaced rollers N that may be moved toward or away fromone another to provide transverse spaces 0 of variable widththerebetween.

A first form of control mechanism P for effecting variation in spaces 0between the rollers N is shown in FIG- URE 2. A second form Q of spacingcontrol mechanism for accomplishing the same result as the first form isshown in detail in FIGURES 8 to 12 inclusive. In FIG- URE 13 a thirdform of spacing mechanism is illustrated that may be utilized toregulate the width of the spaces 0 between the rollers N.

The first form of spacing control mechanism P is moved longitudinallyrelative to the framework A by two endless link belts S that aredisposed on opposite longitudinal sides of the framework. Each of thebelts S is supported by a driving sprocket T and a driven sprocket U.The driving sprockets T rotate in a clockwise direction, as shown inFIGURE 1, and cause the upper reach of the third conveyor M to move tothe right. A fourth conveyor V is provided (FIGURE 1) which serves todischarge potatoes W of various sizes and shapes onto the left-hand endof the third conveyor M.

First and second transversely positioned, downwardly and inwardlyextending deflectors 10 and 12 are aflixed to the framework A whichserve to assure that potatoes W falling through the spaces 0 between therollers N will be directed onto the first conveyor belt K fortransportation to a desired location. Those potatoes W which fallthrough spaces 0 in this manner will be the smallest of the potatoesbeing sorted.

Third and fourth transversely extending deflectors 14 and 16 are alsoprovided, as shown in FIGURE 1, that serve to direct potatoes W whichdrop through the spaces onto the second conveyor belt L fortransportation to a desired location. A fifth transversely extendingdeflector 18 is mounted on the lower end of a rod 20' or othersupporting means which are also shown in FIGURE 1. The upper end of rod20 is connected to a hori- 'zontal sleeve 22 that is manually adjustableto a desired location on a longitudinally extending second rod 24. Theends of rod 24 are rigidly connected to two rigid members 26 whichextend downwardly from a convenient upper portion of framework A. Atapped bore (not shown) is formed in sleeve 22 in which a thumbscrew 28is mounted. Tightening of thumbscrew 28 will maintain the fifthdeflector 18 at a desired adjusted position between the third and fourthdeflectors 14 and 16 respectively. During operation of the gradingdevice of the present invention, as will later be described, potatoes Wof larger'sizes than those potatoes deposited on the first conveyor beltK will fall through the openings 0 onto the second conveyor belt L. Thedeflector 18 can be manually adjusted so that potatoes W of even largersize than those deposited on conveyor belt L will be deposited on theportion L of the conveyor, as illustrated in FIG- URE 1.

Thus, when the grading device is operating, potatoes up to a certainmaximum cross-sectional dimension will be deposited on the firstconveyor belt K, which potatoes for clarity of explanation herein arereferred to generally by the notation W. Potatoes W" of larger dimensionthan potatoes W will be deposited on the left-hand portion of conveyorbelt L, and the largest of the potatoes W being graded will be depositedon the righthand portion L of the conveyor L. If desired, the thirddeflector 18 can be moved to the right adjacent deflector 16 whereby thepotatoes being sorted will only be sorted into two classes W and W".

Each longitudinal side of the framework A is provided with at least twoelongate cams 30 and 32. Also, if desired, a third elongate cam 34 canbe positioned to the right of cams 32, as shown in FIGURE 1. Pins 30aand 32a extend transversely through the adjoining ends of cams 30 and32, which pins pivotally engage bores (not shown) formed in a link 36.Similarly, second cams 32 and third cams 34 have pins 32b and 34aextending through the adjoining end portions thereof, which pivotallyengage a second link 38.

The left-hand end of cam 30 is pivotally connected by a pin 3% to afirst elongate cam extension 40 that extends upwardly and to the left.Each extension 40 has a bifurcated end 42 that slidably engages atransverse pin 44 projecting outwardly from the frame member E. Theright hand end of cam 34 (FIGURE 1) is pivotally connected by a pin 46to a second elongate cam extension 48. 50 that slidably engages a pin 52which projects outwardly from frame member E. Each cam 30 has twotransverse, longitudinally spaced pins 54 extending through the endportions thereof which engage the lower bifurcated end of verticallymovable support members 56 of square or rectangular cross section.

Each support 56 is slidably movable in a vertically disposed guide, asmay best be seen in FIGURE 5. A tapped recess 60 extends downwardly ineach support 56 and is threadedly engaged by a threaded shaft 62 havinga gear 64 mounted on the upper end thereof. A housing 66 is mounted onthe upper end of framework A, which rotatably supports a transverselyextending shaft 68. A gear 70 is mounted on shaft 68 that engages gear64. When shaft 68 is manually rotated by means of a wheelshaped handle72, the shaft 62 rotates relative to the tapped recess 60 and causessupport 56 to move upwardly or downwardly as desired. Shaft 68 has asprocket 74 mounted thereon that is engaged by an endless link belt 76which extends to and over a second sprocket 78. Sprocket 78 is rigidlyaffixed to a second one of shafts Each extension 48 has a bifurcatedend' 68, and when this second shaft is rotated, the second of thesupporting members 56 is moved upwardly and downwardly with the firstsupport member as previously described. The cam 30 on the left-hand sideof the device as shown in FIGURE 5 is moved upwardly and downwardly by asecond mechanism of the structure above described, but which is notshown. This second mechanism is connected to shaft 68 and operates whenshaft 68 is rotated.

The two second cams 32 are supported by supports 56 that are identicalin construction to the support members 56. Pins 54' are associated withcams 32 and serve the same function as the pins 54. The balance of theraising and lowering mechanism for cams 32 is the same as that describedin conjunction with the cams 38. Ac cordingly, no detailed descriptionwill be included of the raising and lowering mechanism for the secondcams 32.

Pins 54" extend through the ends of third cam 34 that are connected tothe lower ends of supports 56". The lifting and lowering mechanism usedwith the supports 56" is of the same structure as that used inconnection with the first support members 56, and the components commonto both in lifting the third support members 56 are identified by thenumerals first used, but to which a double prime has been added.

The two driving sprockets T (FIGURE 1) are rigidly affixed to atransverse shaft 80, the end portions of which are rotatably supportedin bearings 82. The bearings 82 are supported on first brackets 84 thatproject outwardly from framework A. A motor 85 is mounted on the upperright-hand end portion of framework A (FIG- URE 1) and drives a gearreduction unit 86, which serves to transfer motion from the motor to adriving pulley 88 that is engaged by an endless downwardly extendingbelt 90. Belt 90 engages a driven pulley 92 rigidly connected to shaft80. Upon energization of motor 85, the driving sprockets T are rotatedand the endless belts S are caused to rotate. The two endless link beltsS are structurally identical, and each includes a number of links 94 inend-to-end relationship which are pivotally connected by pins 96. Eachlink 94 includes two parallel laterally spaced side plates 98.

When the first form of spacing control mechanism P is used as shown inFIGURE 6, the side plates 98 are removed from two adjoining links andinverted T-shaped side plates 1% substituted in their stead. Each plate180 includes an upwardly extending leg 102 in which a transverse bore(not shown) is formed and through which a bolt or pin 104 extends. Pins.104 also extend through transverse bores (not shown) formed in thelower portion of one of a number of rigid members 105 (FIGURE 6) toengage another set of the side plates 1% (not shown). Each pair ofmembers 185 has a transversely disposed shaft 108 extending therebetweenon which one of the rollers N is rotatably supported. Each member 105tapers upwardly and inwardly to develop into a vertical portion fromwhich two legs 110 project upwardly. The lower surfaces 105a of each ofthe members 185 are spaced a distance 109 above the edges 98a of sideplates 98, as shown in FIGURE 6. Due to this construction, the link orlinks 94 between the side plates can pivot towards the surface orsurfaces a to conform to the circular shape of the sprockets U when incontact therewith.

Legs 110 are laterally spaced and a roller 112 is positionedtherebetween. Each roller 112 is rotatably mounted on a shaft 114, thetwo ends of which are mounted in transverse bores 116 formed in legs110. On each side of framework A the first cam extension 40, first cam38, first link 36, second cam 32, second link 38, third cam 34, andsecond cam extension 48 define a continuous lower edge that is engagedby the rollers 1 12 as they move from left to right as illustrated inFIGURE 1. This contact between the lower surfaces of the cams,

cam extensions and links is effected when the members 105 are moved fromthe left to the right.

Each of the rollers N has ball bearing assemblies 118 on the endsthereof. The interior cross section of each roller N is somewhat largerthan the transverse cross section of one of the shafts 108, as isreadily apparent from an inspection of FIGURE 7 of the drawings. Rings120 are provided on the ends of each roller N which are adapted torotatably engage the lower rails G as the belts S are rotated. Rails Gsupport the belts S therefrom as the lower reaches of the belts travelfrom right to left.

It will be seen on the left-hand end of FIGURE 1 that the members 105project outwardly from the belt S, and as they move from left to right,the rollers 1 12 initially contact the first cam extensions 40 tothereafter start to pivot the members 105 in a counterclockwisedirection as clearly shown in this figure. As members 105 so pivot, thelongitudinal spacing between adjacently disposed members 105 isshortened, with concurrent uniform shortening of the spacing 0 betweenthe rollers N during the time the rings 120 are in rolling contact withthe under surface of the cams 30. Also, the spaces 0 between rollers Nis normally at a minimum during the time the rings 120 are in contactwith the under surfaces of earns 30 whereby only the smaller potatoes Wcan drop therethrough onto the first conveyor K. Spaces 0 can, ofcourse, be increased by rotating the handle 72 to place the cams 30 at ahigher elevation above rails F, as best shown in FIGURE 5. However, whenit is desired to decrease the width of spaces 0, the handle 72 isrotated in an opposite direction to cause the cams 30 to move downwardlyto a position where the lower edges thereof are closer to the topsurfaces of the upper rails F.

Handles 72 and 72" of the second and third control mechanisms (FIGURE 1)are normally manually rotated to an extent to place the lower edges ofthe cams 32 and 34 above the lower edges of the cams 30. As a result ofthis positioning of cams 30, 32 and 34, the members 105 pivot in aclockwise direction as they move from left to right across framework A,with the spacing 0 increasing in width as a result thereof. As the widthof spaces 0 increases, potatoes W, larger in size than potatoes W, aredeposited onto the second conveyor L. Potatoes W of the largest size canonly fall through spaces 0 after the spaces have been substantiallyincreased in width, which is only attainable after the members 105 havepassed the fifth deflector 18.

The operation of the invention is relatively simple. The first andsecond conveyor belts K and L are caused to rotate by means not shown.The electric motor 85 is then energized and caused to drive the belt Sas previously explained in detail. As the belts S rotate, the members105 on the upper port-ions of the belts are moved to the right asillustrated in FIGURE 2, with the rollers 112 initially contacting thefirst cam extensions 40. As rollers 112 contact cam extensions 40, themembers 105 are pivoted in a counter-clockwise direction, and in sodoing, the longitudinal spacing between the members 105 is lessened, asis the spacing between the rollers N.

In FIGURES 1 and 2, it will be noted that the first earns 30 arehorizontally disposed, and as a result, during the time the rollers 112associated with rollers N are in contact with the first cams 30, rollersN are held at a uniform spacing. After the rollers 112 have traversedthe length of the first cams 30, they then contact the first links 36,which links as may be seen in FIGURE 1, slope upwardly and to the right.The belts S are pulled to the right by the driving sprockets T wherebythe members 105 at all times tend to pivot to the right into an uprightposition. This pivotal movement to the right is limited by the secondearns 32 after the rollers 112 have traversed the length of the firstlinks 36. The second cams 32 are normally at a higher elevation thanthat of the first cams 30, and as a result of the pivotal movement ofthe members in a clockwise direction, the spaces 0 between rollers M isincreased during the time the rollers are traversing the length of thesecond cams 32. After the rollers 112 have traversed the second cams 32,they contact the second links 38 and subsequently the third cams 34.When the rollers 112 on members 105 are in contact with the third cams34, the spaces 0 between the rollers N will normally be at a maximum.

During the time the rollers 1 12 associated with rollers N are incontact with the firs-t cams 30, the smaller potatoes W drop through thespaces 0 between the rollers M and fall onto the first conveyor belt Kwhere they are transported to a desired location (not shown) for sackingor other handling. Likewise, potatoes W" of a larger size drop throughthe spaces between the rollers N when the rollers 112 are in contactwith the second cams 32. The largest of the potatoes, which areidentified in FIGURE 1 by the letter W, fall downwardly through thespaces between the rollers N when the rollers 112 associated therewithare in rolling contact with the third earns 34. The adjustable fifthdeflector 18 can be so positioned as to separate the potatoes W and W'on the second conveyor L as they fall downwardly thereon from therollers N as previously described.

The fourth conveyor V is operated by means (not shown) to deliverpotatoes W to the left-hand end of the grading device illustrated inFIGURE 1.

A second form of mechanism Q that cooperates with cam extensions 40,first, second and third cams 30, 32 and 34, and cam extensions 48 tocontrol the size of spaces 0 is shown in FIGURES 8 to 12 inclusive. Twoendless chain link belts S are provided that are of the same structureas belts S but differ therefrom in that a number of oppositely disposed,longitudinally spaced shaft supports 122 are included as a part of eachbelt S. Each shaft support 122 is preferably in the form of an elongatebody having a centrally disposed transverse bore 124 formed therein thatsupports one end of a shaft 108. The horizontally disposed ends of shaftsupports 122 each terminate in a pair of laterally spaced legs 126. Pins128 extend through bores formed in legs 126 to engage links 94' of thechain belts S.

Belts S extend over the driving sprockets T and driven sprocket-s U inthe same manner as the belts S shown in FIGURE 1. Due to the fact thatshaft supports 122 define portions of the belts S, the driving sprocketsT and driven sprockets U must have circumferentially spaced recessesformed therein. These recesses (not shown) accommodate the shaftsupports 122 during the time they are in contact with the sprockets.Each shaft 108' has a roller N mounted thereon, and this roller hasrings mounted on the ends thereof which contact the upper surfaces ofthe rails F, as shown in FIGURE 8.

The second form of spacing control mechansim Q includes two cylindricalsleeves 130 that are rotatably supported on the ends of the shafts 108between the rings 120 and belt S. Sleeves 130 are transversely mountedin hubs 132 as also shown in FIGURE 8. Arms 134 project upwardly fromhubs 132 and the upper ends of these arms develop into two laterallyspaced legs 136, between which pins 138 extend. The pins 138 supportrollers 140 that may be brought into rolling contact with the loweredges of the cam extension 40, first, second and third cams 30, 32 and34 respectively, and the cam extension 48. The hubs 132 on each shaft108' are provided with upper and lower diametrically opposed lugs 142and 144 which project radially therefrom. Those portions of the hubs 132between lugs 142 and 144 are so formed as to define teeth 146.

A number of lengths 148 of chain links are provided as shown in FIGURE12, which are connected on their lower end-s by pins 150 to lugs 144,and on their upper ends by pins 152 to lugs 142. The arms 134 canproject upwardly as shown in FIGURES 8 and 9. When the rollers 140 onthe upwardly projecting arms 134 contact the cam extension 40, pivotalmovement of the hubs 132 and arms 134 takes place in a counter-clockwisedirection, with the lengths 148 of chain links winding on the teeth 146.As the lengths 148 wind onto the teeth 146 the spacing between theshafts 108 decreases, as does the width of the spaces between therollers N. Thus, as the second form of the space control mechanism Q asshown in FIGURES 8 to 12 is moved by the belts S, the spacing betweenthe rollers N is varied, in the same manner as when the first form ofthe spacing control mechanism P is used.

In FIGURE 12 the rollers 140 are shown in contact with the undersurfaces of the cam extensions 48, and as a result the longitudinalspacing between the rollers M increases as the rollers N move to theright. The advantage of the spacing control mechanism Q is that thebelts S are used for driving purposes only, and the longitudinal spacingbetween the rollers is accomplished by the control mechanism. Due tobeing used only for driving purposes, the belts S are subjected to aminimum of distortion and last far longer than belts S of the structureshown in FIGURE 6 which are subjected to substantial deformation duringthe time they are positioned adjacent the upper rails F.

A third form of spacing control mechanism R for the rollers N is shownin FIGURE 13. In this third form of control mechanism two endless beltsS" are provided that are movably supported on the driving sprockets Tand the driven sprockets U in the same manner as the belts S. Belts S"are formed from a number of chain links 154. A plurality of spacingmembers 156 are pro vided which are interposed in oppositely disposedpairs in belts S" and connected thereto by pins 158. Rollers 160 arerotatably supported from the upper ends of the spacing members 156 byshafts 162 that project outwardly therefrom.

The rollers N are rotatably supported on transversely positioned shaftsthat are affixed to the spacing members 156. The endless belts S" arepulled to the right by the driving sprockets T whereby the rollers 160tend at all times to be pivoted into contact with the lower edges of thefirst cam extensions 40, earns 30, 32 and 34, and cam extension 48during the time the rings 120 of rollers N are in rolling contact withthe upper rails F. The control mechansim R is used in the same manner asthe first and second forms thereof which have been previously described,and accordingly the use and operation of the invention with this thirdform of control mechanism need not be described in detail.

To assist in tumbling the potatoes W as they are dumped onto theconveyor M, a number of longitudinally adjustable rings 164 may bemounted on rollers N, with each of these rings having a tapped bore 166formed there n in which a set screw 168 is disposed. By loosen ing theset screws 168, the rings 164 can be positioned in longitudinalalignment as shown in FIGURE 3 or in staggered relationship as shown inFIGURE 3a. The rollers N are, of course, rotated when the rings 120contact the rails F, and this rotation as well as the use of the rings164 tends to orient those potatoes of elongate shape so they will rotateon their longitudinal axes, and if of long thin configuration, to dropdownwardly through the spaces 0 during the time the potatoes are intransverse alignment with the earns 30.

The potato grading device above described has the advantages that as.the rollers N move from left to right across the upper portion of theframework A, the same spaces 0 exist between the rollers for aconsiderable length of time to permit all potatoes that are supported bythe rollers to be be completely classified, with those of a dimensionless than that of spaces 0 dropping onto the first or second conveyors Kor L to he classified by size as to potatoes W, W" or W'".

Although the present invention is fully capable of achieving the objectsand providing the advantages hereinbefore mentioned, it is to beunderstood that it is merely illustrative of the presently preferredembodiments thereof and I do not mean to be limited to the details ofconstruction herein shown and described, other than as defined in theappended claims.

I claim:

1. In an apparatus for continuously sorting potatoes or the like as tosize, the combination of:

(a) an elongate framework;

(b) a first driven conveyor for delivering potatoes to a position abovea first end of said framework; (c) second and third transverselydisposed, longitudinally spaced driven conveyors that extend across saidframework for receiving potatoes which have been sorted to a maximumfirst size and a maximum second size respectively;

(b) a first driven conveyor for delivering potatoes transverselypositioned, longitudinally spaced rollers positioned to define anendless belt on said framework, with a portion of said rollers at alltimes providing an upper reach of said belt that is substantiallyhorizontal, which upper reach has a first end portion disposed undersaid first conveyor, with said upper reach being positioned above saidsecond and third conveyors, and said belt having a lower reach disposedbelow said second and third conveyors;

(e) a plurality of transverse shafts rotatably supporting said rollers;

(f) a plurality of longitudinally spaced shaft supports which supportthe ends of said shafts;

(g) a plurality of first lengths of chain links pivotally connectingsaid shaft supports to one another;

(h) a plurality of sprockets rotatably supported from said frameworkthat maintains an endless sequence of said shaft supports and lengths ofchain links on both longitudinal sides of said framework;

(j) two laterally spaced, elongate first cams that have horizontal loweredges, which first cams are longitudinally disposed on an upper portionof said framework adjacent said first conveyor;

(k) two elongate second cams that have horizontal lower edges, whichsecond cams are in longitudinal alignment with said first cam;

(l) first and second means for independently adjusting said first andsecond cams, respectively, to desired elevations relative to saidframework;

(in) two first elongate cam extensions that are longitudinally alignedwith said first cams, which first cam extensions project upwardly .at anangle towards said first conveyor;

(n) third means for pivotally connecting said cam extensions to saidfirst cams;

(0) two linkpivotally connecting adjacent ends of said first and secondcams;

(p) a plurality of hubs pivotally supported on the ends of said shaftsbetween said rollers and said shaft supports, with each of said hubshaving upper and lower lugs projecting therefrom, and teeth formedthereon between said upper and lower lugs;

(q) a plurality of second lengths of chain links;

(r) fourth means for pivotally connecting a first end of each of saidsecond lengths to one of said upper lugs and for connecting a second endto one of said lower lugs on a hub adjacent that hub to which said firstend is connected;

(s) a plurality of rigid arms that project outwardly from said hubs;

(t) a plurality of rollers rotatably supported on the outer ends of saidarms, which rollers are capable of engaging the lower edge of said camextensions, said first and second cams .and said links; and

(u) fifth means for driving that portion of said sprockets most distantfrom said first conveyor to move said shaft supports and first lengthsrelative to said framework, with said hubs and arms pivoting as 9 10said rollers contact said lower edges of said cam to guide said gradedpotatoes falling through said spaces extension, first and second earnsand said links, which onto said second and third conveyors. secondlengths of links are wound on said teeth as 3. An apparatus as definedin claim 1 which further said pivotal movement takes place to move saidincludes means for rotating said rollers when they are shaftslongitudinally relative to one another to pro- 5 disposed in the upperreach of said belt. vide a desired spacing between said rollers, with Othe spacing between each two of said rollers being References Clled ythe Examlllel' Of a first uniform distance while traversing the lengthUNITED STATES PATENTS of said first cam and of a second uniform distancewhile traversing the length of said second cams to 10 gi gl permitpotatoes to be graded as to size 'by falling 0 m gg ziggig therethmughsald Second and 11rd ROBERT B. REEVES, Acting Primary Examiner. 2. Anapparatus as defined in claim 1 which further SAMUEL C Examine!-includes a plurality of transversely extending deflectors l5

1. IN AN APPARATUS FOR CONTINUOUSLY SORTING POTATOES OR THE LIKE AS THESIZE, THE COMBINATION OF: (A) AN ELONGATE FRAMEWORK; (B) A FIRST DRIVENCONVEYOR FOR DELIVERING POTATOES TO A POSITION ABOVE A FIRST END OF SAIDFRAMEWORK; (C) SECOND AND THIRD TRANSVERSELY DISPOSED, LONGITUDINALLYSPACED DRIVEN CONVEYORS THAT EXTEND ACROSS SAID FRAMEWORK FOR RECEIVINGPOTATOES WHICH HAVE BEEN SORTED TO A MAXIMUM FIRST SIZE AND A MAXIMUMSECOND SIZE RESPECTIVELY; (B) A FIRST DRIVEN CONVEYOR FOR DELIVERINGPOTATOES TRANSVERSELY POSITIONED LONGITUDINALLY SPACED ROLLERSPOSITIONED TO DEFINE AN ENDLESS BELT ON SAID FRAMEWORK, WITH A PORTIONOF SAID ROLLERS AT ALL TIMES PROVIDING AN UPPER REACH OF SAID BELT THATIS SUBSTANTIALLY HORIZONTAL, WHICH UPPER REACH HAS A FIRST END PORTIONDISPOSED UNDER SAID FIRST CONVERYOR, WITH SAID UPER REACH BEINGPOSITIONED ABOVE SAID SECOND AND THIRD CONVEYORS, AND SAID BELTT HAVINGA LOWER REACH DISPOSED BELOW SAID SECOND AND THIRD CONVEYORS; (E) APLURALITY OF TRANSVERSE SHAFTS ROTATABLY SUPPORTING SAID ROLLERS; (F) APLURALITY OF LONGITUDINALLY SPACED SHAFT SUPPORTS WHICH SUPPORT THE ENDSOF SAID SHAFTS; (G) A PLURALITY OF FIRST LENGTHS OF CHAIN LINKSPIVOTALLY CONNECTING SAID SHAFT SUPPORTS TO ONE ANOTHER; (H) A PLURALITYOF SPROCKETS ROTATABLY SUPPORTED FROM SAID FRAMEWORK THAT MAINTAINS ANENDLESS SEQUENCE OF SAID SHAFT SUPPORTS AND LENGTHS OF CHAIN LINKS ONBOTH LONGITUDINAL SIDES OF SAID FRAMWORK; (J) TWO LATERALLY SPACED,ELONGATED FIRST CAMS THAT HAVE HORIZONTAL LOWER EDGES, WHICH FIRST CAMSARE LONGITUDINALLY DISPOSED ON AN UPPER PORTION OF SAID FRAMEWORKADJACENT SAID FIRST CONVEYOR; (K) TWO ELONGATE SECOND CAMS THAT HAVEHORIZONTAL LOWER EDGES, WHICH SECOND CAMS ARE IN LONGITUDINAL ALIGNMENTWITH SAID FIRST CAM; (L) FIRST AND SECOND MEANS FOR INDEPENDENTLYADJUSTING SAID FIRST AND SECOND CAMS, RESPECTIVELY, TO DESIREDELEVATIONS RELATIVE TO SAID FRAMEWORK; (M) TWO FIRST ELONGATE CAMEXTENSIONS THAT ARE LONGITUDINALLY ALIGNED WITH SAID FIRST CAMS, WHICHFIRST CAM EXTENSIONS PROJECT UPWARDLY AT AN ANGLE TOWARDS SAID FIRSTCONVEYOR; (N) THIRD MEANS FOR PIVOTALLY CONNECTING SAID CAM EXTENSIONSTO SAID FIRST CAMS; (O) TWO LINKS PIVOTALLY CONNECTING ADJACENT ENDS OFSAID FIRST AND SECOND CAMS; ( P) A PLURALITY OF HUBS PIVOTALLY SUPPORTEDON THE ENDS OF SAID SHAFTS BETWEEN SAID ROLLERS AND SAID SHAFT SUPPORTS,WITH EACH OF SAID HUBS HAVING UPPER AND LOWER LUGS PROJECTING THEREFROM,AND TEETH FORMED THEREON BETWEEN SAID UPPER AND LOWER LUGS; (Q) APLURALITY OF SECOND LENGTHS OF CHAIN LINKS; (R) FOURTH MEANS FORPIVOTALLY CONNECTING A FIRST END OF EACH OF SAID SECOND LENGTHS OF ONEOF SAID UPPER LUGS AND FOR CONNECTING A SECOND END TO ONE OF SAID LOWERLUGS ON A HUB ADJACENT THAT HUB TO WHICH SAID FIRST END IS CONNECTED;(S) A PLURALITY OF RIGID ARMS THAT PROJECT OUTWARDLY FROM SAID HUBS; (T)A PLURALITY OF ROLLERS ROTATABLY SUPPORTED ON THE OUTER ENDS OF SAIDARMS WHICH ROLLERS ARE CAPABELE OF ENGAGING THE LOWER EDGE OF SAID CAMEXTENSIONS, SAID FIRST AND SECOND CAMS AND SAID LINKS; AND (U) FIFTHMEANS FOR DRIVING THAT PORTION OF SAID SPROCKETS MOST DISTANT FROM SAIDFIRST CONVERYOR TO MOVE SAID SHAFT SUPPORTS AND FIRST LENGTHS RELATIVETO SAID FRAMEWORK, WITH SAID HUBS AND ARMS PIVOTING AS SAID ROLLERSCONTACT SAID LOWER EDGES OF SAID CAM EXTENSION, FIRST AND SECOND CAMSAND SAID LINKS, WHICH SECOND LENGTHS OF LINKS ARE WOUND ON SAID TEETH ASSAID PIVOTAL MOVEMENT TAKES PLACE TO MOVE SAID SHAFTS LONGITUDINALLYRELATIVE TO ONE ANOTHER TO PROVIDE A DESIRED SPACING BETWEEN SAIDROLLERS, WITH THE SPACING BETWEEN EACH TWO OF SAID ROLLERS BEING OF AFIRST UNIFORM DISTANCE WHILE TRANSVERSING THE LENGTH OF SAID FIRST CAMAND OF A SECOND UNIFORM DISTANCE WHILE TRAVERSING THE LENGTH OF SAIDSECOND CAMS TO PERMIT POTATOES TO BE GRADED AS THE SIZE BY FALLINGDOWNWARDLY THRERETHROUGH ONTO SAID SECOND AND THIRD CONVEYORS.